NEW! Thank You! Thank you to Fr. David Harris and Fr. Rob Glasgow of St. John Nuemann Parish in Merrimack for celebrating Ash Wednesday mass with us this morning!
NEW! 2nd Quarter Upper Campus Honor Roll- Congratulations to all of our upper campus scholars for their academic achievements during the 2nd quarter of the school year! Please find the Honor Roll list HERE.
NEW! CYO Basketball Tournament Championships – Come cheer on our Wildcat varsity basketball teams as they play for the NH CYO championship TONIGHT at the upper campus gym! Tip off for the boys is at 5:30 PM, with the girls taking the court at 7:00 PM. All students who attend receive a free dress pass! Gooo Wildcats!
THIS WEEK! February Vacation - Don’t forget….we will be on February vacation next week! School resumes on March 6th!
Upper Campus Prospective Student Open House - Do you know a middle school student looking for a new school? We’ll be holding an Open House for prospective students at the upper campus on Wednesday, March 15 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. Please extend the invitation to students and families looking for a change from their current school! We’d love to meet them and show off our fabulous school!
CMC Casual for a Cause - As we have for the past several years, we are happy to participate in Catholic Medical Center’s Casual for a Cause fundraiser to support CMC’s “Reach Out and Read” program. On Friday , March 10, students and staff on both campuses can come to school in free dress for a donation of $2! All proceeds from the event will go to the Reach Out and Read program which provides books to young children at their annual physicals. What a great way to celebrate National Reading Month in March!
Looking for more STEM Day Speakers! - Are you in a STEM field? Would you like to share your love of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math? We are still in need of speakers for this year’s STEM Day, scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, May 16. We are looking for speakers to present to students on both campuses about their interest and/or careers in any STEM-related field, whether as a professional or hobbyist. Presentations are approximately 20-30 minutes in length, and can be virtual or in person. If you are interested in participating, please email Carol Fiore at [email protected]. Many thanks!
Annual Fund - Our goal for the Annual Fund is 100% participation from current families, faculty and staff, and School Board members, with $65,000 as our financial goal. Our Annual Fund total is currently at $45,000…many thanks to all who have already donated! We ask you to support our mission to provide an excellent Catholic education to all students at Saint Christopher Academy by donating at the level your family is most comfortable. All donations, no matter the size, are MOST appreciated and will be used to directly benefit our students. To donate quickly and safely online, please click HERE. Thank you!
NEW! Hot Lunch Ordering for April - Seems like we just did this (thanks to the short month of February!), but Hot Lunch ordering for April will open while we are on vacation! Ordering runs from March 1st through midnight on March 15. Do not wait until the last minute to order!
THIS WEEK! YEARBOOK ORDERING ENDS! – If you have not yet located an email from O’Connor Studios about ordering a yearbook, contact Carol Fiore at [email protected] as soon as possible so she can help resolve any problems before the ordering deadline. The online ordering platform closes THIS FRIDAY, February 24! Do not wait until the last minute. Please take a few minutes to look for those emails, read the information, and place your order! The messages are tailored for each student and contain a unique access code. As with Hot Lunch ordering, you must adhere to the deadline. We are unable to process late orders.
The online ordering system is the ONLY way to order the yearbook and any add-on yearbook items.
O'Connor Studios will use the same parent email address that was used in the fall to order your student's school portraits. Check those same email accounts (including spam and trash folders) for the yearbook information! The ordering platform can only accommodate one email address per student.
**IMPORTANT: You will receive a separate email for each student. Every student has a unique access code and you must place separate orders for each of your children.
**8TH GRADE FAMILIES ONLY: The cost of the yearbook is already included in the graduation fee. All 8th grade students automatically receive a yearbook at the end of the year and do not need to order one. However, you may want to order supplemental add-on items (personal message, family sponsorship, ¼ page graduate ad)! If purchasing add-on items you still need to “select” the yearbook as if you are ordering it as well, but on your student's ordering page the cost for the yearbook is listed as "free."
Don't miss out on this opportunity to preserve your child's memories of this school year! If you have any questions, please contact Carol Fiore at [email protected].
NEW! 8th Grade Field Trip: Boda Borg – 8th grade students will be going on a field trip to Boda Borg in Malden, MA on Thursday, March 23. An email with the permission slip and link was sent to parents and students. Parents are asked to complete both by THIS Friday, February 24th and return the permission slip to Mr. Maxwell. The waiver can be accessed HERE. If your student is unable to attend, please send an email to [email protected]. Thank you.
NEW! Now Hiring Spring Coaches! – The upper campus athletic department is looking to hire coaches for our upcoming and quickly approaching spring season! We are in need of coaches for our track & field program, as well as coaches for our golf team. Both positions are paid stipend positions, and can be flexible when it comes to scheduling practices to accommodate coaches. Previous coaching experience is not required, but is preferred. Anybody interested in learning more about either position, should contact Mr. Ryan Farris at [email protected].
NEW! Upper Campus Spring Sports Signups – Spring sport signups have begun at the upper campus! Signup sheets are out in the cafeteria for anybody interested in participating in one of our spring sports. Varsity teams include baseball, softball, track & field, and golf.
We are also in the preliminary stages of an exploration into a lacrosse club program for this spring. If we do offer lacrosse, both boys and girls, it will only be a club team, and commitments will be minimal. Students will be allowed to participate in other varsity sports as well as lacrosse, but varsity sports should come first in the event of any practice or game conflicts. If we get enough students to sign up and show interest, we will discuss the opportunity further. There will be a separate meeting solely focused on lacrosse if we were to get to that point.
Spring Portraits- O’Connor Studios will return to the lower campus on Wednesday, March 15 for Spring Portraits for lower campus students only. This is a Dress UP Day…lower campus students should wear their “Easter finest” instead of their uniforms! This is a one-time event, so there will be no retakes for absent students. More information will be forthcoming soon!
NEW! 202-2024 Tuition/Financial Aid and $250 Deposit Auto Withdrawal - The deadline for financial aid applications for current families for the 2023-2024 school year has now passed. As outlined in the registration packet email sent on December 1, 2022 to parents of current students, two additional important dates are fast approaching. Any questions regarding these dates, tuition, or financial aid should be directed to Shauna Hein at [email protected].
MARCH 15, 2023
Tuition amount for the 2023-2024 school year, as well as SCA financial aid awards, will be posted in each family’s FACTS Tuition Management account. Note: Children’s Scholarship Fund and NH Education Freedom Accounts awards will be posted at a later date when they are received from those organizations. No payment is due at this time. Parents are asked to review this information for accuracy.
APRIL 1, 2023
A $250 tuition deposit per student is automatically withdrawn from a family’s FACTS Tuition Management account using the payment method selected during registration. This tuition deposit will be applied toward the family's tuition balance.
Employment Applications and Teacher Fair - With the current teacher shortage, Saint Christopher Academy is currently building an applicant pool for any openings that may be available for the 2023-2024 school year. Interested applicants are invited to submit materials as soon as possible so we may begin conducting interviews. Current teachers, new education graduates, and recently retired teachers are welcome to apply! Click HERE for more information on how to apply!
The Academy will hold a drop-in Spring Teacher Fair on Monday, March 20 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the upper campus! During the Teacher Fair, candidates will participate in an informal mini-interview with the principal and meet faculty and staff. Candidates are encouraged to download and complete the Diocesan Teacher Application at https://www.catholicnh.org/.../Sch.../TeacherApplication.pdf prior to the Teacher Fair and also bring along supporting credentials such as teaching accreditation, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
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Roll Out the Red Carpet for Saint Chris!
19th Annual Auction
March 25, 2023
The Event Center, Nashua
NEW! Auction Sponsors – Guess what?! We have another NEW sponsor this week!
Presenting Sponsor:
Platinum Sponsor:
Wanderlust Therapeutic Services
Gold Sponsor:
Silver Sponsor:
Kevin Brown - Knights of Columbus Insurance
The Brian and Sharon Hall Family
he Tony and Cathy Storace Family
Bronze Sponsor:
Family Chiropractic of Merrimack and Wellness Center
Copper Sponsor:
NEW! J.S. Heating Service
Your business or family can join this wonderful group of supporters by also becoming an Auction sponsor! In addition to our established leveled sponsorships, we can customize sponsorships or you can sponsor important parts of the Auction…think dessert, drinks, or centerpiece sponsor! For more information, click HERE or contact Marta Nissen at [email protected].
Auction Donations – Help us make the Auction a fun and exciting evening with the donation of an item for the silent or live auctions! Donations of new items are always needed and greatly appreciated. Feel free to reach out to friends, family, and local businesses too! You can find donation ideas or make a donation online HERE or simply bring your donation to either the upper or lower campus!
Wine Donations - Wine donations needed for our Wine Pull! Next time you are at the grocery or the liquor store, consider purchasing a bottle of wine to donate. All bottles must be at least a $15 value. Wine donations can be sent to Marta’s attention at either campus!
Class Baskets - Themed baskets are VERY popular at our event! In addition to the wonderful baskets donated by individuals and businesses, each grade (Pre-k to 8) is putting together a very special themed basket thanks to the donations of their families! To make a cash donation towards your child's class basket, please click HERE!!
Tickets - Tickets were mailed on Friday, February 3rd! If you did not receive an invitation, please send Marta an email at [email protected]. We can also send an invitation to any of your friends or family who are interested in attending or supporting the auction….just send Marta an email and we’ll get it right out ! You can purchase tickets either by returning the RSVP card included with the invitation or by going online HERE! Tickets are $85 per person and include complimentary champagne, a drink ticket, a fabulous sit-down dinner, and night full of fun with your Saint Chris friends! All attendees also receive a complimentary $25 gift card from our Gold sponsor, Wireless Zone!
Reserved Tables - Tables of 10 guests can be also reserved ahead of time by sending a list of attendees to Marta at [email protected].
Ticket for a Teacher Sponsors – Aren’t our teachers GREAT? Thank them for a job well done by being a Ticket for a Teacher sponsor! Our teachers work hard all day, every day in the classroom…they deserve a night out! To be a Ticket for a Teacher sponsor, simply complete the RSVP form HERE and select Ticket for a Teacher.
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March No School Day - Looking ahead to next month…..there will be NO school on March 24 so that teachers can participate in the Diocesan professional development being offered that day.
NEW! End of the Year Dates - The end of the school year may seem like a long way away, but it will come quickly! We have scheduled the following important dates and events:
Friday, May 26
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- Family BBQ at the upper campus (all current families invited!)
Thursday, June 1
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- 5:00 PM – 8th grade Baccalaureate Mass at St. Christopher Parish (graduate and two parents only)
- 6:30 PM - 8th grade dinner at the upper campus (graduate and two parents only)
Tuesday, June 6
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- Last day of school for 5th and 8th grade students
- 5:30 PM - 5th grade Convocation at the upper campus
Friday, June 9
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- Early Release and final day of school for grades PreK to 4, 6 & 7
- 7:00 PM - 8th grade Graduation at the upper campus
NEW! St. Patrick’s Free Dress - Irish eyes (and everyone else’s, too!) will be smilin’ on St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17! Students are invited to wear green and white in celebration of the day! Please be sure that students dress according to our free dress day dress code…thank you!
Recognizing Excellence Award Nominations - Nominations for the 2023 Diocese of Manchester’s Teacher of the Year and Clergy of the Year awards are now open!
- Teacher of the Year Award - The New Hampshire Catholic School Teacher of the Year views Catholic education not only as a profession, but as a vocation of service to students and to the greater Church. A practicing Catholic active in his or her faith, the award recipient brings a joyful witness to his or her ministry that inspires students to not only achieve academically, but to put their skills and knowledge to good use creating the Kingdom of God on Earth. Submit a nomination HERE.
- Clergy of the Year Award – The recipient of the Spirit of St. John Vianney Award is a member of the clergy who similarly provides inspirational support for Catholic education in the diocese. The faithful witness that the recipient of the Spirit of St. John Vianney award provides is inspirational to students as they go on to eventually discern their vocation in life. Submit a nomination HERE.
School Mass Schedule - All parents are invited to attend our weekly school masses! Parents must enter through the front door of each campus facility, sign in, and receive a nametag to attend. All masses are at 9:45 AM on both campuses. The schedule for March and April is:
March 8 - Upper campus
March 14 - Lower campus, grades 3-5
March 21 - Upper campus
March 29 - Lower campus
April 3 - Lower campus
April 12 - Upper campus
April 18 - Lower campus Vocation Day
Lower Campus Stations of the Cross - 5th grade will be presenting Stations of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent. Parents are welcome to attend this short (approximately 20 minutes) observation of the stations and should come through the school and sign in prior to going to the church. The schedule is:
- THIS Friday, February 24 - 1:50 PM
- Friday, March 10 - 1:50 PM
- Friday, March 17 - 2:15 PM
- Friday, March 31 - 2:15 PM
Hot Lunch Volunteers - Thank you to our fabulous Hot Lunch volunteers! The schedule for the next week is:
Thursday, February 23
LC: Tina Bruno, Sadie Presenti, Weilin Li
UC: Susette Parks, Nadra Bell
Friday, February 24
LC: Stacy Cardinale, Lisa Blanchard, Katrina Adell
UC: Nadra Bell, Meghan Delyani
Monday, March 6
LC: Amanda DeWitt, Jennifer Liba, Erin Sarette, Ann Marie Pellecchia
UC: Christine Saltzman, Paul Schibbelhute
Tuesday, March 7
LC: Tina Bruno, Sadie Presenti, Hanna Sullivan
UC: Elizabeth Cyran, Sue-Ellen Maher
Wednesday, March 8
LC: Mary Schreiner, Saide Presenti, Luci Foppa
UC: Rebecca Small, Desiree Sullivan
Popcorn Poppers: Our fabulous popcorn poppers for the week are Melissa Michels and Louis Cardinale.
Grade 7 & 8 STEM Summer Camp Opportunity - The Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), located in Hanover, NH, is conducting a GEMS Camp for Middle School students this summer. Student registration ends on March 30, 2023. All 7th and 8th Graders are welcome to apply. Please see the flyer HERE for more information!
When: Week of June 26 – 30, 2023. This is being held on the campus of the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL). CRREL is located at 72 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH.
Cost: The GEMS Camp is FREE!
Stipend: Students receive a stipend for attending the week-long camp!
Registration: Student registration ends March 30, 2023. Sign up online HERE.
Black History Month - First officially recognized in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, February is Black History Month across the US. This month celebrates the achievements of African Americans and their important role in US history. Locally, the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire provides excellent resources on black history and culture in NH. Please visit their website HERE!
St. Christopher Parish Lenten Schedule –Saint Christopher Parish has created a rich schedule of programs, masses, rosaries, and confessions to help us deepen our faith during the holy season of Lent. All school families are welcome and encouraged to attend any and all of these Lenten activities!
